“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” — Acts 2:1-2
In the Orthodox Church, we gather together at the altar of the Lord to celebrate liturgy and other prayer services; however, we are also called to private prayer, to make our households domestic churches. Part of our living out of our faith is through house blessings (dnorhnek), which is traditionally carried out in the days after Christmas and Easter. During the ceremony, water, bread, and salt are blessed and are then divided between the household and the neighbours, to spread to all the good news of Christ’s birth and resurrection. As the Holy Spirit came into the Upper Room and descended upon the Apostles, the prayer of the rite invites the Holy Spirit to come upon the household and be with those who live in it.